Nevertheless he was acquitted.
Amid the hooting, angry crowd, leaving the court, was a man, dressed like a plain storekeeper who familiarly laid his hand on the shoulder of a gentleman dressed better than he, and said:
“Well, what does Dr. Gilbert think of these acquittals?”
The other started, but recognized the speaker by sight as well as by the voice, and replied:
“The Master!—you ought to be asked that, not me, for you know all, present, past and future!”
“Well, I should say: The third prisoner will catch it severely, even though he be innocent.”
“Why should the innocent, if coming next, be wrongfully punished?” inquired the doctor.
“For the simple reason that in this world the good pay for the bad,” returned the Chief of the Invisibles with the irony natural to him.
“Good-bye, Master,” said Gilbert, offering his hand; “for I have business.”
“With whom? Mirabeau, Lafayette or the Queen?”